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The ministry said some people displaying symptoms at the rest home hadn't been tested because of their particular vulnerabilities and the distress it would cause them, but they were being treated as probable cases.

The Covid-19 test wasn't particularly distressing for most people, but for some of the group at Rosewood it was difficult for nurses to explain what was happening and why they needed to be tested, McElnay said.

The CDHB would be able to provide more information this afternoon about the other Rosewood residents who had been hospitalised.

Fourteen of the new cases announced today are linked to existing clusters. In total, 373 people have recovered - an increase of 56 on yesterday.

The total number of cases in New Zealand is 1283.

There are 16 people in hospital. Four are in ICU, Wellington, Waitemata, Waikato and Southern - two of whom are in a critical condition.

There continues to be a strong but declining link to overseas travel but with a growing link to confirmed cases.

There are 12 clusters of more than 10 people.

If New Zealand hadn't been in level 4 lockdown, the spread from the Bluff cluster could have been much worse, McElnay said.

The uptick in cases today confirmed New Zealand couldn't be "too complacent" in our response to the virus, she said.

McElnay said PPE wasn't being rationed and healthcare workers should have access to it and should contact their DHB if that wasn't happening.

She would be surprised if someone was being told to take off PPE, she said.

McElnay said she recognised the challenge religious leaders faced this Easter but urged them to follow the Prime Minister's advice to stay home and organise to worship from there.